Leah Kirchmann leads Redlands Bicycle Classic

Canada’s Leah Kirchmann (Optum presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies) moved into the overall race lead following her victory during the Stage 3 circuit race at the Redlands Bicycle Classic on Friday.

Kirchmann started the Beaumont Circuit Race in second place overall. She won the breakaway sprint and earned a 10-second time bonus that pushed her into the overall race lead by nine seconds ahead of previous race leader Alison Powers (UnitedHealthcare).

Canada’s Karol Ann Canuel (Specialized-lululemon) was also in the breakaway and finished 7th on the day, and is sitting in 7th overall. Denise Ramsden (Optum presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies) finished 10th, from the bunch sprint.

In the elite men’s circuit race, Ryan Roth (Jet Fuel Coffee-Norco Bicycles) was the highest placed Canadian in 12th on the stage. Travis McCabe (Team SmartStop) won the bunch sprint ahead of Ty Magner (Hincapie Sportswear) and Sergio Hernandez (Incycle-Predator Components).

Canadians Will Routley (Optum presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies) and Rob Britton (Team SmartStop) maintained their 3rd and 5th places in the overall classification. Roth is sitting in 13th place overall.

Redlands Bicycle Classic is the first race on the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar (NRC) and is held from April 2 to 6 in California.